The thrill of the HAUNT

LATHROP - What started out as a five-acre corn maze to raise funds for a community organization has blossomed into a must-go attraction in San Joaquin County.

Tara Cuslidge

LATHROP - What started out as a five-acre corn maze to raise funds for a community organization has blossomed into a must-go attraction in San Joaquin County.

Much has changed at Dell'Osso Family Farm, which also hosts holiday festivities and events throughout the year, but the philanthropic mission continues.

"We started with just the basic corn maze," Susan Dell'Osso said. "It just grew and grew."

It was 15 years ago when Ron and Susan Dell'Osso partnered with a local nonprofit organization to build and operate a no-frills, square corn maze.

The maze has grown to 23 acres of intricate design with a train, hayrides, zip lines and other activities around it.

More than 150,000 people visit every October.

In the years since that first maze in 1997, volunteers from community organizations have earned close to $1 million working at the farm, filling work slots during the busy Halloween run, Susan Dell'Osso said.

"When we started adding it up, it was quite remarkable," she said of the total.

Volunteers earn $10 an hour toward their charity. This year, 19 groups will staff the pumpkin maze in addition to regular staff.

Lathrop Little League, which this year served a population of 210 children, is one of those organizations. The league will split Saturday with the Lathrop Youth Advisory Commission.

Last year, the league also shared a day with the commission, earning $600.

"We're able to raise more money for the league, which directly affects the participants because we lower the prices," said Omar Ornelas, league secretary and deputy chief umpire.

This year, Lathrop Little League volunteers can earn as much as $1,000 from a day of work at the farm.

Ornelas said the money goes toward making the league more affordable, to allow for growth. The partnership may help the all-volunteer organization with capital improvements as well.

"We appreciate them giving us the opportunity to do that," Ornelas said.

Saturday is the official opening day of the maze, but the farm will welcome Friday more than 2,200 special-needs children, adults and their caregivers from San Joaquin and surrounding counties for Special Day on the Farm.

"It's one of our favorite days," said Yvonne Sampson, marketing manager for the farm. "It's a day filled with the wonder and joy you see in their eyes."

This is the sixth year the event, sponsored by the El Dorado-Stockton Kiwanis Club, will be held at Dell'Osso Family Farm. It will not open to the general public that day.

New this year on the farm is a completely remodeled 5,000-square-foot haunted castle, a mechanical "bucking pumpkin" and a formal tea party area where children can enjoy a beverage with a pumpkin princess.

"Every year, there is something better and there's something new to explore," Sampson said.